Manufacturer: Daniel Roth Year: Circa 1990 Reference No: C127S Movement No: 61 Case No: 61 Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 27LN, jeweled Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Daniel Roth pin buckle Dimensions: 27.5mm Width and 30.5mm Length Signed: Case, movement and buckle signed
Catalogue Essay
Having started his own brand in 1988, Daniel Roth proved to be a very prolific watchmaker. He created a myriad of watches, from time only pieces, to perpetual calendars, tourbillons and even chronographs. Further testament to his ingenuity is the fact the even when tackling the time only with subsidiary seconds complication - as seen on the present model - he decided to imbue it with his flair and ingenuity, making it a retrograde jump hour complication. Thus was born reference C127.
This example however elevates the horological appeal and aesthetic impact of the watch as we are in the presence of the extremely rare reference C127S (for Squelette - skeletonized). The openworked dial allows the wearer to admire the jump hour mechanism in action, with the driving wheel at 4 o’clock interlocking with the hour wheel and activated by a lever connected to the minute wheel - all perfectly visible. The attention to detail present in the movement is awe-inspiring. Said to be inspired by a George Daniels pocket watch, the dial features a flawless circular satin finish and engine-turning of the outer edges, a procedure as difficult to perform on such minute pieces of metal as it is subtly eye-pleasing in its final result.
Given the importance in independent watchmaking today, Roth's influence in this sphere (being one of the very first watchmakers to go independent, in 1988), the rarity of these early pieces made while he was in control of the company, and the current resurgence of the eponymous brand, there is little doubt that such gems are destined to become milestones of watch collecting.